[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 165 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MEGAN CHARLOP

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 1999

  Mr. Engel. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Megan Charlop, who has 
been chosen as a Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leader for 1999. 
Each year, the Community Health Leadership Program honors ten 
individuals who overcome tremendous odds to expand access to health 
care and social services to underserved populations in their 
communities. This year, the program has selected Ms. Charlop for her 
work as the Director of the Montefiore Medical Center Lead Poisoning 
Prevention Project in the Bronx.
  While working as a housing organizer in the 1970's Megan unwittingly 
exposed herself and her fetus to lead dust and became poisoned. In the 
early 1980's, she organized a building in deteriorating condition where 
the children had become lead poisoned. As a result of these experiences 
Megan founded the Lead Poisoning Prevention Project in 1983.
  As Director of the Project, Megan has diligently advocated for 
resources to create the Lead Safe House, which provides transitional 
housing for lead poisoned children and their families while their homes 
are undergoing abatement. Megan also co-founded the New York City 
Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, bringing together 
environmentalists, labor groups, social service and health providers, 
and parents to tackle the issues related to lead poisoning prevention. 
Her work with lead poisoning prevention in New York City has become a 
model for the nation.
  And her work does not stop there. Recently, Megan has launched 
community health initiatives for other environmentally triggered 
diseases such as asthma and mercury using the model she developed for 
lead prevention.
  Mr. Speaker, I am thrilled to recognize Megan Charlop as a 1999 
Community Health Leader and I commend her for tremendous efforts to 
improve the health of her community and for her true leadership in the 
fight against lead poisoning.

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